Some 19,000 bags of heroin are displayed during a news conference in this January file photo. (Ellen F. O'Connell/Hazelton Standard-Speaker via AP)

(Newser)
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A New York City man has pleaded not guilty after police say they found more than 1,400 bags of heroin stashed inside his body, the AP reports. Vermont State Police say 41-year-old Fernando Estrella of the Bronx was pulled over for a traffic violation early Tuesday in St. Albans. Authorities say a police dog detected drugs but police did not find any in the minivan. Police say they got a warrant for a body cavity search and 1,428 bags of heroin were removed from Estrella's rectum at a hospital. They were stuffed into three condoms, adds the New York Daily News.

Estrella pleaded not guilty to felony heroin possession, heroin trafficking, heroin importation, and violating conditions of his release. He was being held Wednesday. It was not immediately known if he had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf. A message left at the public defenders' office after hours was not returned.